Cortana Won't Let You Forget Your Promises

Microsoft today said it is adding new features to Cortana that will help people better manage their schedules. To start, Cortana will be more proactive with respect to reminders. Microsoft says people often make promises or commitments to one another via email, but then fail to follow through for various reasons (most often forgetfulness). Using tools from Microsoft Research, Cortana is able to scan email messages for promises/commitments and then automatically add reminders to help people keep track of those commitments. Microsoft also took steps to improve Cortana's ability to help manage calendar appointments. Microsoft says Cortana is able to see individuals' unique work styles, such as when they generally like to take meetings. Now, when meeting requests arrive that fall outside of preferred meeting windows, Cortana will send alerts so the recipient can take the appropriate action, whether it be to reschedule the request or set an alarm. Cortana's new powers will reach Windows Insiders on Windows 10 PCs first and expand to others Windows 10 devices and users over time.